The Head of the UGCC on Palm Sunday: "The future of Ukraine depends on which king you choose today."

Our strength, the strength of our people are not in the horses or chariots of the modern world. Not even in the agreements of the powerful of this world. For today God Himself comes to us. He is the One Who has the source of life, rebirth and resurrection of each person, Life and Resurrection of Ukraine. This was stated by the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav during the sermon for believers on Palm Sunday in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on April 1, 2018.

As the preacher explained, today the Church celebrates one of the greatest Christian holidays - the Feast of the Lord's entrance to Jerusalem. The entrance that directly introduces us to Holy Week. In a few days, we will participate in the Paschal Sacrament: crucifixion, death, and, hence, the Resurrection of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As we hear in the Word of the Holy Gospel, Christ solemnly enters Jerusalem six days before His Passions. He first encounters young people who came to meet Him with palm branches and congratulate Him as a winner.

“But what is the meaning of today's holiday? This feast responds to one vital question that the Israelis asked themselves in the days of the Old Testament Passover when they had left the house of bondage and had fallen between one death - from the hands of Pharaoh and the second death - from hunger and thirst in the wilderness. And they asked Moses: ‘Is our God with us?’ And all that we read about the Old Testament Pascha is like the answer of God on this fundamental human question. ... And if we read attentively the books of the Old Testament, we will hear a clear message that the true King of Israel, on Whom life, protection, salvation, victory over the enemies depend, is not a man, not an earthly prince, but God. He is the King of Israel. The only God is the One Who is the vital force, victory, life and future of His people,” explained the Primate.

That is why, said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the word “Osanna,” which means “save us,” shows us where this salvation comes from - only from God. “Who is he who cometh in the name of the Lord? Who is the one who brings us this vital force? This is the Son of God Himself, God, Who became a man. And today, as a long-awaited Messiah, He arrives in His capital. That's why today everyone is happy,” said the Head of the UGCC.

“When we hear about these events,” observed the preacher, “which took place two thousand years ago in Jerusalem, we feel that this story is about us.” “Our nation,” said the spiritual leader of the Greek Catholics, “today, like the Old Testament Israel, is on its Passover Road. We, like once again, are in the paws of some strange historical circumstances between one death and another. Can we get back? Do we have to go ahead? Where is the power of Ukraine, of the Ukrainian people? Where should the Ukrainian youth draw strength today? Who to lean on? Who is the source of life and certainty in the future of our people, the Church, the country? Today, the youth of Jerusalem gives us, the young Ukraine, the answer to this question. For only for Christ today befits to sing with the sons of Jerusalem: Osanna.”

“But it is important,” the Primate believes, “that we must make our choice today!” “For we will see how, in a few days, the scribes and Pharisees will make a different choice before Pilate. They will renounce the God Who is their rock, and they will say to Pilate: Crucify Him, because we have no king except Caesar.”

“Every day, we also have the temptation rather to rely on a bird in the hand than on the force that comes from Heaven. Some kind of earthly logic, human transactions, everything that makes a person feel confident, build our own future by ourselves, often looks more correct to us. But sooner or later, we will see that this illusion will only cause further suffering,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

Therefore, the preacher called, today, following Christ, let us sing to Him: Osanna! Let us embrace the strength, joy and hope that He gives us today.

But especially the Head of the Church on this holiday addressed the youth. “Make the right choice in life, do not let yourselves be deceived by any futile human hopes. Let us hear the very King of David, Who says to us: Do not rely on the princes of men, because there is no salvation in them. Christ is a challenge for you today, because He calls you to follow Him. He is your vocation, which you should not hesitate to accept and follow Him. Put your dreams and wishes at His feet, because you, young Ukrainians, are new branches on the Ukrainian nation's millennial crown. You are the sign that Ukraine is alive now and she will always be. But her life will depend on which king you choose today,” said the Head of the UGCC.

“Accept Christ today,” called the spiritual leader, “because these branches, which we will bless today, are signs that you want to do this.” Not just to bless some material thing, but in your hands to consecrate the symbol of victory over death, a sign that you welcome Christ, Who becomes part of your life. "

At the end of the Liturgy, the Head of the Church sanctified the branches that the faithful brought with them.